(CNN) - Barack Obama and John McCain are statistically tied in Florida and Ohio while Obama holds a clear advantage in Pennsylvania, new Quinnipiac polls out of those crucial battleground states Thursday show.

But in what could be a warning sign for Obama as voters begin to turn their attention to the general election race, Obama's lead appears to have dwindled, or barely remained steady, in all three states, even as the Democratic presidential candidate has enjoyed a wave of intense media coverage surrounding his trip abroad.

In Florida, Obama now holds a statistically insignificant 2-point lead over McCain, 46-44 percent. In a similar poll taken one month ago, Obama held a wider, and statistically significant, 47-43 percent advantage over the Arizona senator there. The difference appears to be a shift among independent voters, who now support McCain in Florida by a 5-point margin. In the June poll, Obama held the advantage among the same group of voters by a 10-percent advantage.

In Ohio, the battleground state where a weak economy should give Democrats an advantage, Obama is ahead by a 2-point margin, 46-44 percent. That lead, also statistically insignificant, is down from the 6-point advantage the Illinois senator held there one month ago.

Obama's lead has also narrowed in Pennsylvania, though he still enjoys a clear edge there. Obama now leads McCain by a 7-point advantage, 49-42 percent, down from the 11 point advantage he had in June.

The poll was conducted from July 23-29, in the midst of Obama's trip abroad, and carries a margin of error of just under 3 points in each state.

I know dozens of people and speak to them regularly and not one person I know would ever lower their standards and vote for this crook (mccain). And the repuglicans I do know have all switched to Obama. So who are these unenlightened people that are voting mcsurge?

July 31, 2008 09:20 am at 9:20 am |

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX

Only for a short time he does! His own party is killing him.
Every day another Republican screw up. McCain's individual qualities aren't that great to begin with, and the Republican label is is a curse rather than a benefit.

July 31, 2008 09:20 am at 9:20 am |

Adam

Way to Screw this up Obama!
If i recall... both Kerry and Gore were ahead by double digits at this point in thier campaings.

HILLARY 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 31, 2008 09:21 am at 9:21 am |

Former Republicans for Obama

What these numbers don't show are the increasing number of Rebublicans that plan to jump this sinking ship and vote for change in November!!!! It is time for change and we will vote for Obama.

July 31, 2008 09:21 am at 9:21 am |

Laura

True, Obama's lead has narrowed a bit, but he still leads in all three states. Considering the CW a couple months ago was that he had no chance of winning Florida and Ohio was a long shot, he seems to be in pretty good shape.

July 31, 2008 09:22 am at 9:22 am |

Sylvia

Obama is going to leran we are NOT as stupid as he HOPES we are!!!!
PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP!!!!!

July 31, 2008 09:22 am at 9:22 am |

Ken Pittsburgh

There are all types of polls Obama needs to go back to what got him there.

July 31, 2008 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

Tara

this is why I am voting for Obama he is so smart. he predicted his leads would go down and the poll numbers would shrink when he went abroad because people are concerned about the economy and home issues. So this is really no suprise. Can't wait for more McCain negative Ads.

July 31, 2008 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

Luis

Vote McCain or join the insane................

Ludacris and Rev Wright, and William Ayers, and Jesse Jackson, and typical white people and bitter, angry Americans clinging to their religion, guns with antipathy for those that are not like them (race card), and on and on and on.....

July 31, 2008 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

Turnabout is Fair Play

I will say it again. If these PUMA idiots and those who just don't want to see a black man in the Whitehouse give this election to the Republicans AGAIN, you will deserve the pain and suffering that will continue that you are going through right now and we "18 million" Obama supporters will do to Hillary in 2012 what you are trying to do to Obama this time around. All those fools who keep posting "McCain '08, Hillary 2012"? You better think about that again, that's not how your dream will work out. If yall wreck this for Obama, Hillary's chance in 2012 will NOT happen. We guarantee it.

July 31, 2008 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

Nate

The American people are smart. They will never elect a nut like Obama.

McCain '08!!!!!

July 31, 2008 09:25 am at 9:25 am |

maxwellinformed

Wait a minute. Barrack was supposed to not be able to win in FL and PA. and here he is with a lead. Leads not big enough but it's a lead. After the conventions these leads will increase. Especially if McCain continues to campaign like it's 2004 without offering any plans other than more war.

July 31, 2008 09:25 am at 9:25 am |

Jan Illinois

In the end, in the booth, will we pull the lever for him? Will his lack of real experience get to us? He needs Hillary , without her and her supporters its iffy .

July 31, 2008 09:26 am at 9:26 am |

Tony C.

The fact that Obama and McCain are tied in Florida should surprise no one. Florida and Texas are the two most f'd up states in the country and can't see beyond the ends of their noses.

Anyone who believes McCain's attack ads blaming Obama for higher gas prices and showing heim with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton is not worth the time it would take to try and get them to live in reality.

McCain has no alternative but to continue to attack Obama, both verbally and in ads for the simple reason he has no record of his own to run on. He is just a Bitter, angry, old man with old ideas and one to continue with Bush's policies.

Just once I would like to hear what Mccain is for, instead of what he is against, but considering his record, I won't hold my breath.

July 31, 2008 09:26 am at 9:26 am |

Texas trail puppy!

Today is surely a slow news day.Would wait after the conventions to start taking these polls seriously.....

July 31, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

obama is unfit to be president of this country

God Bless America. Please be smart and vote for John McCain.

July 31, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

v.a.

McMelanoma

July 31, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

snaz

why was i never included in all this polling

July 31, 2008 09:27 am at 9:27 am |

snaz

McCIN SHOULD BE LEADING IN fLORIDA

July 31, 2008 09:28 am at 9:28 am |

Jon

This is just the begining. McCain will win. All you nutty Obama lovers will see that just because you are treated like a mega star on TV, does not get you elected President. I am willing to bet that when Obama loses all you Obama lovers will cry fowl, racism, fix, ect... We do need change but that empty wind bad suit is not the change that this country wants or needs. At least with McCain he will reform and do more than spew garbage. Obama is a snob and elitist. Most Americans have now realized this. He duck McCain when it comes to debating. Because his advisors know that he will have his butt kicked. I am glad that the Federal Election Commision foce three manditory debates. When that happens it will be all over for Obama. Whine, blame, and cry all you want, it will soon be over for that joke.

July 31, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

Obama4change

CNN, I am sick of your negative stories about Senator Obama! Why is the story about Obama's ad about McCain all the way down? The worst news organization in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrld! CNN, CNN, CNN.

July 31, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

Whats left in your wallet?

After this election it will be proven that all these polls were wrong,yet Americans will still believe in the lies they are being told,Its so sad.

July 31, 2008 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

Tommy Lee

This is a tough choice this year. McCain has terrible judgement and Obama is untested.

The media was afraid to be rough on Obama because they feared being called racist. They had no trouble being openly sexist and calling for Hillary to give up way before the race was over.

I am not being racist when I say Obama doesn't have enough experience.

I am not being anti-elderly when I thank John McCain for his military duty but really believe his judgement is terrible.

I will hold my nose and vote against a third Bush term and vote Obama this time around.

I like Obama, I really do–but his resume is very short.

McBush's resume is very long with terribly mixed results. Season his spotty record with his temper and you have a nightmare.

Obama has a lot of ideas. I hope they work. We already know the ideas McBush brings with him will not work.